Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-18
EMANCIPATION DAY.
The Procession Postponed on Account
of the Rain.

DAMP SCENES OF PREPARATION THIS MORNING-AT
THE CHIEF NARsHAL's HEADoUARTERs-NO DAY
FIXED YET FOR THE POSTPONED PROCESSION.
Saturday was emancipation day, but, by order
Of the committees in charge, to-day was the day
fixed for the celebration by the cOlOred citizens OF
the District OF the twenty-ffth anniversary OF the
signing of the proclamation that abolished slav-
cry In the District. Saturday was considered a
bad day for celebration, as 1t was announcement
for many TO take holiday on that day. SO 1t
happened that the proposed celebration and q
drenching rain came together to-day. The day
broke in a way most discOuragiDg to those who
had prepared TO take part in the parade. AS the
disputes which led TO a division last year into
two professions have been amicably settled it was
hoped that the demonstration to- lay would be one
Of the largest and most interesting held for years
WET SCENE.
At 10 O'Clock, the hour fixed by the chief marshal
Rev. Robert Johnson for forming the line, there
was no Indication around Iowa Circle the place of
rendezvous, of any preparation for the procession
except one large wagon with an tmprOviSed can
vas awning OF huge proportions, which had
sought s ,Gt,h under tree Now and then
well-Soaked sash galoped past over the asphalt.
Near at hand, at his church. on street near 18th.
the Fourth Baptist, Rev. Robert Johnson the
chief marshal made his headquarters Here were
huddled in the veStibue OF the church large
number OF young and Old cOlored people, who
y
Meanwhile the rain kept pouring down In increaS-
Ing torrents over the whole scene, making the at
mosphere the asphalt, the horses and every thing
look very Wet. Horses belonging to the marshall 5
aids were grouped about the street, and were
very wet looking, their ears tapped down and
streams of water pouring of from every point OF
their anatOmies. Rev. Mir. johnson prudently
carried the gorgeous regalia OF his Office wrapped
up In several newspapers.
WAITING FOR THE CLOUDS TO ROLL BY.
At IL o'clock he hoped that before IL the clouds
would roll by. He was unwilling he said to post
pone the procession IL there was any prospect of a
clear day. There was a general Discrimination to
postpone the procession, as the days holiday, the
hire OF horses and other preparations had already
put many to an expense which would have to be
repeated Ii the procession was postponed to an
other day. Now and then the rain seemed to
Slacken little, and the clouds appeared as II
about TO let the sunlight through. Such moments
brought considerable happiness to the waiting
Organizations were waiting under shelter, chariots
gay with StreamerS and bunting were ready under
cover TO come forth in grand state, to bear the
several rival queens OF beauty and their attend
ants and military companies already well drenched
were resting on their arms. Messengers kept ar
irving at headquarters from every part Of the city.
making anxious inquiries as TO when the line
would be formed A little before 12 o'clock word
WAS brought to the chief marshal that some OF
the military organizations had broken ranks and
gone home. About the same time an inquiry
came from the White House as to whether the
procession would move to-day.
POSTPONED INDEFINITELY.
AS tne ram was SJlll failing, the cnle1 marshal
reluctantly decided 10 postpone the procession in
difiniuely. The announcement OF the postpone
ment was sent by messenger and telephone to all
parts or the city. The chief marshal stated to a
STAR reporter that he regretted to have to post
pone the parade, as the preparations made prom
iSed that the demonstration would be fine one,
and those interested mad taken considerable trOu-
bic 10 prepare for the occasion. Ii would he said
be determined ut a meeting, whether the process
SiOD Will be held another day. and at that meeting
the day would be fixed.
THE MEETING TONIGHT.
The postponement of the procession, Mr.. john
son said did not affect the exercises arranged for
this evening TO be held i'll the Lincoln Memorial
congregational church. corner OF 11th and X
streets northwest. Prof. JAS. N. Gregory will pre-
side. Col Geo. W. Williams will deliver the ora
ton. Speeches will also be delivered by Mr.. Dam
tel E Cahil and Rev. X. ii. G. Dyson. The Eman-
cipatiOn edict will be read by Mr.W. Calvin Chase
and the acts OF the Emancipation and letters of
regret by MIR. st. A. Smith. Mr.. Michael Scanlon,
OF the state Department., has written poem for
the OCCASION and it Will be read by Hon. j. II.
Smyth. Prof. Geo. W. Cook will read'the reSOlu-
tions- Rev. j. r Riley and Rev. Geo. W. Moore,
chaplains.